Thanks to the proliferation of DIY home repair shows on television, almost every homeowner today has likely at least considered making a minor or major renovation to their existing property. Maybe you want to tear out your 1970s kitchen for a more modern, farmhouse-inspired look. Or, perhaps you’re looking to do a more full-scale remodel job in preparation to flip an outdated property. Either way, it’s easy to find and focus on the major aesthetic issues that a property has. You notice shag carpeting, oddly painted walls and older-model light fixtures almost immediately.
Yet, there is another area of the home that often goes overlooked, but requires just as much attention and care to upfit as those areas you pass by every day: the attic. An older attic not only poses a health risk but could compromise the soundness of your entire structure. To this end, it’s important to ensure yours is both up-to-date and up-to-speed moving forward. Here are a few steps you can take to improve it today.
1. Remove cellulose or fiberglass insulation.
In decades past, it was a common practice to pump attics full of cellulose or fiberglass insulation. While this may have been a cost-effective and quick fix in those days, today we know that those materials can cause a range of health issues from asthma to chronic lung diseases. They also retain moisture and often settle to one side and most materials also contain harmful asbestos.
Before you start tearing it out with your bare hands, it’s important to understand that fiberglass consists of extremely fine glass fibers (hence, the name) and can harm your skin. As such, always trust a professional attic repair company to do the job for you. These experts will come equipped with the right tools and knowledge required to make sure the insulation is safely and thoroughly removed. You can read more now on the benefits of partnering with a team of professionals when tackling your attic insulation removal.
2. Install an attic fan.
If you’re looking to regulate the temperature in your home and improve its overall ventilation, an energy-efficient attic fan can be an ideal addition. These are designed to draw hot air outside while simultaneously pulling in cooler air from gable and soffit vents. They can also serve to improve and lengthen the lifespan of your roof, protect your stored belongings from moisture and heat exposure and maintain a comfortable year-round temperature in your attic.
Yet, keep in mind that while these fans can be beneficial, they will require a significant up-front cost that can often be offset by subsequent energy savings. It’s also important that these be professionally installed and sealed. If they are not installed correctly, they could actually pull your home’s conditioned air through small ceiling cracks, which will in turn put stress on your HVAC system and force it to to run even harder.
3. Fix rodent holes.
Have you recently dealt with a squirrel or another small critter in your attic? Or, do you suspect your have one now? If it’s the latter, be sure to call a rodent removal specialist to find and carefully take care of the rodent(s). From there, it’s time to patch any holes that the critters have created during their stay. You’ll first want to find the main entrance hole that they came in through (again, a rodent removal professional can help with this). You may want to spread flour around all of the visible holes to see where the tracks are made. Leave this hole alone for now and focus on patching the smaller holes. Using foam insulation or caulk, cover these areas up. You might find it useful to play a small radio while doing this to encourage any remaining critters to stay out during the process. If the holes are larger, you may need to replace chewed-up wood and install wire framing around interior holes to prevent further entrance.
After the smaller holes are patched, you can work on the main entrance. Yet, be sure to check and ensure that all the rodents are gone before taking this next step. Once you’ve confirmed this step, repeat the process above, using the wire mess interior barrier again.
Upfitting Your Attic for the Future and Beyond
Whether you think you might finish off your unfinished attic in the near future or your just want to better protect your valuables from mold, mites and water damage, taking the time to upfit your attic is a valuable investment in your home’s future. While the list above isn’t exhaustive, by concentrating on these top three issues, you can set the foundation for a sound and secure storage space moving forward.
